Music has been a rich part of my devotional life. I can incorporate it as background ambience (or as the focal point) in my dedicated devotional times but also as a soundtrack to everyday life—theological truth sinking into my soul while I drive, do the dishes, fold laundry, or make a meal. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of quality Christian music like this today.
For Christians inundated with media that saturates their souls with often corrosive content, I can’t stress enough the value of surrounding yourself with Christ-exalting music. To that end, here are ten new albums (released within the last year) that can enhance your devotional life. Listen to all of them in one convenient playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.
Caroline Cobb, Psalms: The Poetry of Prayer
One of my favorite albums of last year, this collection of Psalm-based songs from Caroline Cobb is a musical and lyrical treasure. The accompanying instrumental album is also a nice devotional resource. Much like Cobb’s other Bible-based albums, you can’t go wrong with making Psalms a staple of your household’s musical rotation.
FLAME, 1517 Music, Freedom Lessons
Released in November, this one-of-a-kind album remixes Luther’s Small Catechism as a hip-hop album. If you ever wondered what it’d be like to throw a dance party for your kids while simultaneously teaching them about the church’s sacraments and creedal beliefs, look no further than Freedom Lessons, which landed at #5 on my list of the best Christian albums of 2023.
Eliza King, The Pressing In
Australian singer-songwriter Eliza King has released several singles and EPs in recent years that have caught my attention. On March 1, she releases her debut album, The Pressing In, and I highly recommend it. Featuring 11 tracks of gorgeous devotional worship, including collaborations with artists like Tenielle Neda and Wilder Adkins, the album paints scenes of “pressing in” moments: “of olive groves, narrow roads, alabaster jars, trees planted by the stream, and scars that speak of healing.”
Kingdom Kids, Hymns
A new project from Shane & Shane and The Worship Initiative, Kingdom Kids makes worship music designed for kids and families. Their latest release is a collection of hymns both old (“Praise to the Lord”) and new (“Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me”). Especially for parents of little ones seeking to steep their kids in singable theology, this is a perfect album to put on in the car or in your home.
Ordinary Time, You Are My Hiding Place
Folk trio Ordinary Time makes music to serve the church, often in sync with the seasons of the liturgical calendar. Their latest (releasing February 23) is a selection of songs expressing the array of emotions (from lament to jubilant trust) that often accompany the devotional life. With songs inspired by Isaiah 12 (“I Will Trust”), Psalm 13 (“Good To Me”), and other biblical passages, this six-track EP is a preview of a full album release coming later in 2024.
Psallos, A Sure Hope: Hymns of Romans
Nothing in contemporary Christian music quite compares to the Bible-as-art-rock albums Psallos makes. But as creative and musically brilliant as they are, these albums (inspired by New Testament epistles like Hebrews, Philippians, Jude, and Romans) aren’t exactly singable. That’s why Psallos (led by composer Cody Curtis) is releasing companion albums that are more accessible and congregational worship friendly. The first in this series is A Sure Hope: Hymns of Romans, and I’m enjoying it greatly. Upbeat, melodic, and theological rich, this is a great album to put on in your house to help instill the themes of Paul’s magisterial epistle.
Jess Ray, MATIN: Rest
I listened to this from start to finish on a rainy weekend morning recently, and it was a beautiful experience. Recorded as an uninterrupted, 30-minute set of quiet songs and hymns, performed from first light until sunrise (watch the performance on YouTube), MATIN: Rest takes its name from the early morning prayer period of some church traditions (as well as the French word for “morning”). Featuring beautifully unadorned covers of classic hymns (e.g., “All Creatures of Our God and King,” “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”) as well as some originals (e.g., “Morning Song,” “Lilies & Sparrows”), the 8-song collection is a beautiful resource to usher you into the day’s challenges with your mind fixed on Christ.
The Soil and Seed Project, Vol. 9 Lent Easter Pentecost
Continuing their aim to “nurture faith through music, art, and little liturgies for daily and weekly use in the home, following the liturgical calendar,” The Soil and Seed Project’s latest release is another great devotional resource. The “catechetical folk” style is fun and low-key, with occasionally surprising genre twists (see “There Is No Fear in Love”). It’s all beautifully Scripture-soaked and full of Christian joy.
sxxnt. & Brother Joe, Hymns in High Fidelity
I’ve talked about this album a few times in recent months (including on my best Christian music of 2023 list), but I’d be remiss to not include it again here. In terms of instrumental music to play in the background of devotional time or everyday tasks, this is my recent go-to. It’s fun to listen for the melodies of familiar hymns with the lo-fi soundscape.
Paul Zach, Joy Joy Joy Joy Joy
This soulful, often funky album lives up to the abundant joy of its title. Produced by Isaac Wardell and featuring collaborators like Jon Guerra, Page CXVI, and iAmSon, this new release continues Zach’s strong track record of combining musical beauty and worshipful lyrics to cultivate a devotionally rich listening experience. Turn this one up in the lead-up to the Easter season.
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In an age of faith deconstruction and skepticism about the Bible’s authority, it’s common to hear claims that the Gospels are unreliable propaganda. And if the Gospels are shown to be historically unreliable, the whole foundation of Christianity begins to crumble.
